Ardian Klosi

Ardian Klosi
Born Ardian Klosi
(1957-07-09)9 July 1957
Tirana, People's Socialist Republic of Albania
Died 26 April 2012(2012-04-26) (aged 54)
Tirana, Republic of Albania
Resting place Sharra cemetery, Tirana
Occupation
Language Albanian, German
Nationality Albanian
Education BSc on Albanian literature and PhD on German and Comparative Literature
Alma mater University of Tirana, University of Innsbruck
Notable awards
  • Kult (2005)
  • Best translator of 2008
Spouse Jutta Benzenberg
Children two daughters
Relatives Bilbil Klosi (father) former Minister of Justice in period 1953—1966 (regime of Enver Hoxha)

Ardian Klosi (9 July 1957[1] – 26 April 2012) was an Albanian publicist, albanologist, writer, translator and social activist. He graduated Albanian literature at the University of Tirana in 1981 and received his PhD on German and Comparative Literature at the University of Innsbruck.

Early life and family

Ardian Klosi was born in Tirana in 1957 to Klosi family, originally from Mallakastër. His father was Bilbil Klosi,[2] the former Minister of Justice in period 1953—1966 and secretary of the presidium of the National Assembly in period 1966—1973.[3]

In 1981 Ardian earned a degree in Albanian literature at the University of Tirana.

Life in Germany

He received his doctorate titles in 1990. Klosi lived in Germany for the first five years of post-communism, where he met and married the photographer Jutta Benzenberg, with whom he had two daughters.

Return to Albania

Klosi returned to Albania in 1998 and strongly engaged in civil society activities and journalism. After returning from Germany, Klosi was from 1998 to 1999 the General Director of Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, the public broadcaster of Albania.[4] In the recent years he was very active in defending environmental issues. He supported the civil society causes and the cultural heritage. Klosi was especially active against the government initiative for demolishing the Pyramid.

Bibliography

Klosi's activity is closely related to books and other publications:

Klosi has given a great contribution in translation into Albanian. Authors whose works he translated include Friedrich Dürrenmatt, Max Frisch, Mark Twain, Franz Kafka, Bertolt Brecht, Heinrich Böll, Georg Büchner, Ernest Gellner and François Pouqueville.[5] He was awarded several times for his translations: with "Kult" prize for the best translation of the non-fiction book of 2005 (Karl Reinhold's "Pelasgic Nights").[5] and "Best translator of 2008" for the translation of Oliver Schmitt's "Skanderbeg. Der neue Alexander auf dem Balkan", at the same time spurring many debates among the public opinion. In the last years, Klosi was active in journalism, and wrote extensively on political and social issues, thus becoming a well-known public figure in Albania.[6]

Suicide and reactions

Klosi suffered from severe bouts of depression and had attempted suicide twice, before ending his life by hanging himself in his apartment.[7] He was also hospitalized and received treatments against depression. Klosi committed suicide in Tirana on 26 April 2012.

The Albanian President Bamir Topi considered it "an irreplaceable loss for the family and the entire Albanian society, that today more than ever needs intellectuals of an independent and courageous voice, carrying out altruistic missions on behalf of the Albanian people.[8]

The Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha sent a message of condolences to the family, noting that Klosi's departure is an irreplaceable loss for the family, but also for the world of letters, political writing and Albanian civil society, that will miss one of their outstanding personalities.[9]

The Socialist Party of Albania expressed their condolences for the loss of the man whom they consider a good Albanian with an illuminated mind, and also a great loss for the Albanian free speech, for the civil society and the contemporaneous culture of the nation. "Ardian Klosi created a precious value with his example as an intellectual committed to give his efforts for democracy and social justice, and for an Albania that should be protected with its assets. He will be remembered as an active citizen in the civil battle against the environmental destructions, and who made the voice of independent citizens to be listened for environmental protection", the SP message says.[10]

The opposition leader, Edi Rama, tweeted: “A dear friend of our country left this night, after refusing to coexist with vulgarity”.

He was buried at the public Sharra cemetery in a Tirana suburb.

References

  1. ↑ Klosi, Ardian, uebersetzercolloquium.de (in German)
  2. ↑ Miranda Vickers (2007). The Albanian Question: Reshaping the Balkans. I.B.Tauris. p. 279. ISBN 978-1-86064-974-5. Retrieved 7 July 2013. One of his relations, Bilbil Klosi, had been Minister of Justice for a period under the Hoxha regime
  3. ↑ Elsie, Robert (2012). A biographical dictionary of Albanian history. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 238. ISBN 9781780764313. OCLC 801605743. From 24 July 1953 to 14 October 1966,Bilbil Klosi was Albanian minister ofjustice and thus responsible for much of the injustice of the communist regime.
  4. ↑ Vetëvritet Ardian Klosi, Topi: Humbje e madhe për shoqërinë tonë, Shekulli, 2012-04-27 (in Albanian)
  5. 1 2 "Klosi, Ardian". http://english.traduki.eu/. Retrieved 7 July 2013. External link in |publisher= (help)
  6. ↑ Ardian Klosi passes away, Top Channel
  7. ↑ Albanian Screen – Farewell to Ardian Klosi! Friends, colleagues and relatives pay homage in honor of the publicist – Published: April 28,2012 – 19:19
  8. ↑ Presidenti Topi shpreh ngushëllimet për ndarjen nga jeta të përkthyesit dhe publicistit, Ardian Klosi, President of Albania, 2012-04-27 (in Albanian)
  9. ↑ PM Berisha offers condolences for Ardian Klosi passing away, Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania, 2012-04-27
  10. ↑ Mesazh për një humbje të madhe për botën shqiptare të fjalës së lirë, Socialist Party of Albania, 2012-04-27 (in Albanian)
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